Day 281 - June 22, 2014: Arrive at The Big Chute

Many people on our dock at Port of Orillia stopped to ask about Great Laker, as most had never seen an American Tug, and they were fascinated to learn about her. We want to expressly thank Mike and Wally, two Canadian boaters, who were so friendly and helpful, giving us local information about where to stop next and a plan for our first week in the Georgian Bay.  

We departed and moved up Lake Couchiching past Washago into the Severn River. The Severn River runs west from Sparrow Lake through red and gray granite walls cut by glaciers that left gorges and cliffs, fjord-like coves, side channels and fine anchorages, and takes you to the Georgian Bay. I can’t emphasize how incredibly beautiful the Severn River is. While the entire waterway is unique with a great variety of features, we are finding the second half from Peterborough onward to be our favorite by far.

Departing the Port of Orillia

We passed through lock 42 and traversed little Sparrow Lake to lock 43 at Swift Rapids. This lock is probably the most isolated of all the locks and has the highest vertical drop (47 feet) of the traditional waterway locks. There is a nice shady park here, and we had considered spending the night on the lock wall; however, it was early and we decided to move on. 

Peaceful park above Lock 42

Lock 43 at Swift Rapids

We also considered stopping at Severn Falls Marina, and possibly anchoring in the picturesque Lost Channel, but with weather in mind, we again decided to push on. It is hard to do justice to the scenery along this route, but I have included a couple of highlights.

Rocky island with trees

Another lovely residence

The winding river through the trees

One of the most unique aspects of the Trent-Seven Waterway is the Big Chute, and I have been anxious to see and ride this since reading about it during our trip planning. While it is referred to as lock 44, it is not technically a lock at all. It is actually a short marine railway which takes you and your boat up and over the river bank and down a 58 ft. vertical drop to Gloucester Pool. Multiple boats are loaded on a large rail car and transported via cables from one end to the other. We arrived here to stay on the government dock, finding only two other boats, and tomorrow morning we will wait our turn for this almost-Disneyland “E-ticket” ride. 

This is the rail carriage that will transport us from the river up and over the road and down a steep slope using over 748 feet of track and dropping 58 feet. The carriage, which is 80 feet long by 30 feet wide, will partially submerge. We will enter, and two yellow slings (straps under the boat) will lift Great Laker and hold her airborne. The carriage will then traverse to the other side and partially submerge so we can drive her off. 

The Big Chute railway carriage